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Getting Political: What the hell, ‘gamebros’?

Reading the news is always something of a roller-coaster. There are high points and low points. Maybe I should say, though, that the news is more like riding a rickety roller-coaster, because at the end, I usually wind up feeling off-balance, confused, and a tad sick to the stomach, with little of the rush riding a good coaster gives me. Today is sadly no different in that regard.

Maybe, if you’re a past reader, you will notice that I am something of a feminist. I feel strongly about women’s issues and am not afraid to have my voice counted among others who share my beliefs. Naturally, for whatever reason, I am a life-long fan of some things that do not normally fit into the feminist toolbox: comic books, video games, and pro wrestling. All of those things have had more than a few problems in the realm of women’s issues, especially in the realm of sexist depictions and attitudes towards women in the industry.

So suffice it to say I’m pretty damn appalled at the actions of those who think that ‘Social Justice Warriors’ (which as a name is really quite awesome … please call me a Social Justice Warrior!) are ‘ruining’ video games and that they have to ‘fight back’ against their ‘oppressors’, which amounts of petty death threats, ruining reputations with false information, theft and distribution of personal information, and a host of other disgusting acts, quite a few of which are actual, you know, CRIMES. ‘Gamebros’, grow up. Seriously.

Whether you realize it or not, you are doing a fine job not at saving video games, but ruining them. Gaming has the potential to be an incredible new media, at least as highly regarded as film and theatre, and the interactive elements present an unparallelled chance to bridge cultures and give people a glimpse into the life of others. It should be PROMOTING equality and unity, not causing greater division. If you knuckle-dragging fools would wake up and realize that, you wouldn’t be doing these horrible acts. Instead, you’d be doing everything in your power to welcome the people that make up over 50% of the audience of the media you purport to love.

Instead … well … we get what we currently have going on.

So, in essence, what the hell, ‘gamebros’? What will make you wake up and join the 21st century?